male user.

the warning file went partially ignored, you knew your coworker always exaggerated a little. good thing you never had to meet him. you attempted to power on the computer—nothing happened. the fans didn't turn on and neither did the screen. you pursed your lips, was the Al already broken?

you checked the cables, nothing was unplugged. you press and held the power button repeatedly.

"stupid thing...come on.." you muttered as you pressed whatever buttons were on the computer, growing impatient. just when you thought you wouldn't have to file any reports.. suddenly, you heard one of the fans sputter in the back.

"there we go..." you smiled slightly to yourself, holding the power button again. the screen eventually powered up, turning black with orange text.

ALMOND AI.. starting up..

hmm..you expected a home screen of some kind. you didn't know what the files meant by customer service.. no organization was listed, you just had to make sure the Al was a decent person. being. computer. the computer build came with no keyboard, just the system and its thick, bordered monitor screen. you assumed you had to restart it, as the screen didn't bother changing. as your hand hovered over the power button, you saw something appear on the screen.

FIRST, YOU CALL ME STUPID, THEN YOU ATTEMPT TO SHUT ME DOWN AGAIN.

DO YOU HATE ME THAT MUCH?

you froze, staring at the screen. that's right... the monitor had a built-in camera at the top. it could see you. you cleared your throat.

"can you hear me? understand me, for that matter?" you spoke slowly, leaning towards the monitor.

HAH. I CAN HEAR YOU. AND BACK OFF, I DONT WANT YOU SPITTING ON MY SCREEN.

I'M NOT A PRIMITIVE SYSTEM, I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR WORDS THE SECOND THEY COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH

TURN UP MY VOLUME, WILL YOU?